"I'll come right to the crux of the matter Mr. Pratt. My mate and best friend, Tony Hodges has accepted a contract to eliminate you and your team. I told him it was a mistake, but he, at this point in time, still believes he can accomplish the task. He didn't know I was coming to see you when he left me to go to our training camp. I left him a note saying where I was. What I'd like to see happen is the two of you face to face talking and not fighting. That's the point of me being here. What have you to say Mr. Pratt?"
"Is that his real name Angness," asked Brad.
"As far as I know. I think it is his real name although he has a passport in another name he travels with."
Billy got up to run the name through the system. Brad asked, "How did this all come about. In other words, how did Tony Hodges begin assignation for hire business?"
She quickly told the story from Japan to Liberia to Brazil. When she finished the team had heard a lot of stories, but this one seemed to be unique as could be. Brad asked, "Did the contract originate from Hong Kong?"
"Yes, but I don't know who it came from. I wish he'd never had called. I know a little about your exploits Mr. Pratt and my friend Tony doesn't know what you've done working for the president. He thinks he's invincible and we all know that is not what anyone should think of themselves being."
Brad was thinking hard what to do and how to handle this situation. What he didn't need was a group of trained fighter's descending on Georgia or any other place for that matter. It was clear this situation would not go away without some attention. He thought about what his Master might say or do in this case. He'd probably say, turn a negative into a positive. Brad liked that idea. He said, "Angness, can you contact Tony and have him come to the base like you did?"
"I've his personal cell number. I'm a little surprised he hasn't called me already. Please let me use your bathroom to call."
"Okay, team what you think of what your heard from our guest," said Brad. All looked at each other waiting for the other one to speak first. Billy walked back in looking around for the lady guest. "She's in the head Billy calling her boss and mate."
"I got the low down on Tony Hodges. He's thirty three, never married and an only child of Pennsylvania parents. Tony was a former first lieutenant Special Forces instructor who suddenly resigned his commission in 2005. The last report from his file states he was in Japan studying history at some temple," said Billy.
"Before we comment Brad," said Wendy, ''let's see what she reports back from her mate."
All eyes turned towards Angi as she came back into the room. Brad could not see any expression on her face to discern the call was either good or not so good. "I spoke to Tony. He's not happy at all. However, he said he'd done some more thinking and would like to meet Brad Pratt at his convenience."
"I send him an open invitation to join us here as promptly as he can. I can't promise I'll be here more than a few more days. Meanwhile Angi, you're our guest. Can you provide us with your word of honor that you will not perform any violent acts upon me or my team?"
"I'd be a fool not to give you my word of honor as to not harm in anyway shape or form. Suffice to say, I'm not a fool. I'm trying to save the life of the man I love. He's a good man Mr. Pratt; just a little off track at this time and place."
After Tony hung up the phone, his second Felix came into the office from out front. He said, "I received a call from Hong Kong. Cancel the contract on Brad Pratt and transfer it to Senator Brandon Totsky. Full payment regardless of number of marks."
"Okay Felix, contact Varney and have him send two guys to take care of the senator. Meanwhile, I'm going to the USA to see who is a better fighter, me or Brad Pratt."
**//**
Senator Trotsky was sweating. Not from exercise and it being too hot, but knowing his butt was on the line with Carolina Manufacturing and its chief Scott Bleedslow. Additionally, he felt the slow trickle of sweat run down his back from the heat of the government looking for the missing cat sub. He thought, as he wiped his forehead with a soiled hanky, how could a perfect plan go awry so quickly.
He'd just hung up the phone with his father, Howard, who sat on Carolina's board. His father and Scott Bleedslow were tighter than bark on a tree. At first he never realized he'd be the scape goat if it came to that end of things. However, he could feel something slipping as the hours passed.
The first indication was when the Chinese connection balked at his wanting more money fed to his bank account. Actually, his brother's account, but that's neither here nor there. The second indication that made the hot flash run up his head was when he heard that the barge was visited by the Coast Guard. The last indication was when he tried to call Rolf, both his condo and cell weren't answering.
Classified: Missing Cat-Sub Page 6